My two roommates and I recently moved into an apartment in Lower Haight and we're dead-set on learning how to kiteboard. We've bought a few DVDs and an instructional land kite (Slingshot's Wasp II), and we're currently saving up money for wetsuits and lessons. The point of this post is mainly just to seek out some good advice and or assistance. Aside from a few questions that I'll list below, is there anyone out there who would like to teach three chill dudes the basics for a few hours? The lessons I've looked at seem to be running ~$300/person for three hours. The three of us would be willing to dish-out ~$500 for a few hours of good instruction. We're all coordinated 22 years old who swam in college so our safety around water shouldn't worry you whatsoever. Beers on us after the session.

General questions:
Is there a particular kind of wet suit that one should buy to kiteboard? (maybe one that restricts your arms less?)

Where's the best place to purchase used gear?

Where's the easiest / safest place for a beginner to start kiteboarding?

My two roommates and I recently moved into an apartment in Lower Haight and we're dead-set on learning how to kiteboard. We've bought a few DVDs and an instructional land kite (Slingshot's Wasp II), and we're currently saving up money for wetsuits and lessons. The point of this post is mainly just to seek out some good advice and or assistance. Aside from a few questions that I'll list below, is there anyone out there who would like to teach three chill dudes the basics for a few hours? The lessons I've looked at seem to be running ~$300/person for three hours. The three of us would be willing to dish-out ~$500 for a few hours of good instruction. We're all coordinated 22 years old who swam in college so our safety around water shouldn't worry you whatsoever. Beers on us after the session.

General questions:Is there a particular kind of wet suit that one should buy to kiteboard? (maybe one that restricts your arms less?)

Where's the best place to purchase used gear?

Where's the easiest / safest place for a beginner to start kiteboarding?

Thanks in advance for any advice -- have a pumpin' New Years

Well, you guys got a few months before the season and lessons really fire up.

Things you can do to be prepared for the season/lessons:

you have the trainer kite...fly the hell out of it until you can fly it with your eyes closed, one hand on the bar.

By some magazines, The Kiteboarder Magazine www.kbmag.com has a wetsuit review coming out in the Jan. issue.

Gabe is right on all points. It's true that no one is likely to take you up on your offer, publicly anyway, due to the liability involved. The money's attractive, but if someone gets hurt it's all over!

Lessons won't be in effect for a little while yet, but it's quite possible you can swing a deal for all three of you if you all do it at once. Try Jeff at Kite Wind Surf when the season gets going.

It would be helpful for you guys to check out the action during the winter on windy days at Alameda. Then you can watch rigging and launching/landing procedures. You might even see some people getting worked in the storm winds!

Videos would definetely be helpful also. Gabe's Windreels Volume 1 is a great video showcasing great riding on great locations by killer riders. I would also definetly recommend "The Complete Kiteboarding Guide" from the folks at www.kitefilm.com. It's a 4 hour instructional video that takes you from just starting out all the way up to wave riding and kiteloops.

Kitefilm.com has been generous enough to send a few copies in for the Winter Contest and for review, which I'm a bit late on, but will be posting soon.

Good luck, be safe and feel free to post more questions, there are always people willing to help.

Regarding wetsuits we have found the Gul F-Ride and Delta suits to be best suited for kiteboarding. Very flexy around arms and shoulders, significantly lighter than other brands, good articulation in areas that you need it, and overall a great price for the value. I recommend either a 4/3 or a 5/4 for the Bay Area, and a shortly for the warmer months at Sherman / 3rd ave.
Check out our complete wetsuit selection at:
http://www.live2kite.com/index.php?cPat ... aa6eb223ea